The METRIC SYSTEM

1
The METRIC SYSTEM CONVERSIONS
Factor Label/Dimensional Analysis Review
2
Conversions between the U.S. Customary System and
the Metric System

• Approximate equivalences between the U.S.
  Customary System and the Metric System are needed
  for conversion between systems
• Dimensional Analysis will be used to compute the
  conversion

3
Equivalences Copy this Down!

• Units of Weight
• 1 oz 28.35 g
• 1 lb 454 g
• 2.2 lb 1 kg
• Units of Capacity
• 1.06 qt 1 L
• 1 gal 3.79 L
• Units of Length
• 1 in 2.54 cm
• 3.28 ft 1 m
• 1.09 yd 1 m
• 1 mi 1.61 km

4
Dimensional Analysis

• Dimensional Analysis (also called Factor-Label
  Method or the Unit Factor Method) is a
  problem-solving method that uses the fact that
  any number or expression can be multiplied by one
  without changing its value (Multiplication
  Property of 1 the Magic One)
• Use the units to dictate the form of the Magic
  One

5
Ex Convert 130 lbs to kg (round to the nearest
whole number)

• Write the original measurement as a unit fraction
• Multiply the unit fraction by a magic one the
  form of which is dictated by the units
• the numerator unit is the unit you want
• the denominator unit is the unit you want to
  eliminate
• Write your answer in the specified form (decimal
  number)

6
Ex Convert 130 lbs to kg (round to the nearest
whole number)
59 kg
7
Ex Convert 60 km to mi (round to the nearest
whole number)

• Write the original measurement as a unit fraction
• Multiply the unit fraction by a magic one the
  form of which is dictated by the units
• the numerator unit is the unit you want
• the denominator unit is the unit you want to
  eliminate
• Write your answer in the specified form (decimal
  number)

8
Ex Convert 60 km to mi (round to the nearest
whole number)
37.2 mi
37 mi
9
Ex Convert 5.4 kg to lb (round to the nearest
tenth place)

• Write the original measurement as a unit fraction
• Multiply the unit fraction by a magic one the
  form of which is dictated by the units
• the numerator unit is the unit you want
• the denominator unit is the unit you want to
  eliminate
• Write your answer in the specified form (decimal
  number)

10
Ex Convert 5.4 kg to lb (round to the nearest
tenth place)
11.88 lb
11.9 lb
11
Ex Convert 45 cm to in (round to the nearest
tenth place)

• Write the original measurement as a unit fraction
• Multiply the unit fraction by a magic one the
  form of which is dictated by the units
• the numerator unit is the unit you want
• the denominator unit is the unit you want to
  eliminate
• Write your answer in the specified form (decimal
  number)

12
Ex Convert 45 cm to in (round to the nearest
tenth place)
17.71 in
17.7 in
13
Ex As a practical joke, on the show Candid
Camera, a gas station listed their price as
1.79/Liter. People gassing up thought they were
getting a great deal, but then were outraged when
their total owed came up. WHY?

• What do you notice about the listed price?

• What should we do?

14
Listed their price as 1.79/Liter.
15
Ex The price of a certain medication is 35 per
Liter. Find the price per fluid ounce.
But now what? There isnt a direct equivalence
from Liters to fluid ounces.
We can use several equivalences stepping down to
fluid ounces
Liters ? Quarts ? Pints ? Cups ? fluid ounces